Nearly 700,000 of most vulnerable families to receive £301 spring cost of living payment

Almost 700,000 families in the UK are set to receive a £301 to help with the cost of living this spring.

An additional group of over 600,000 families on disability benefits will also be granted a £150 cost of living payment this summer.

The latest £301 payment, for those on means-tested benefits, is the first of five direct cost of living payments for the most vulnerable households this year.

“These direct payments will help people right across the UK over this year and the start of the next, as we continue to provide consistent, targeted and substantial support for the most vulnerable,” Work and Pensions secretary, Mel Stride, said.

“Our wider support package, including the Energy Price Guarantee, will ensure every household is being helped through this challenging period of high inflation, caused by Putin’s illegal war and the aftershocks of the pandemic.”

Exact payment windows and qualifying periods for eligibility will be announced in due course, but will be broadly as follows:

£301 – First 2023/24 Cost of Living Payment – during spring 2023
£150 – 2023 Disability Payment – during summer 2023
£300 – Second 2023/24 Cost of Living Payment – during autumn 2023
£300 – 2023 Pensioner Payment – during winter 2023/4
£299 – Third 2023/24 Cost of Living Payment – during spring 2024

UK Government minister for Scotland, John Lamont, said: “Hundreds of thousands of people across Scotland can now be secure in the knowledge they will receive further substantial and consistent help with the cost of living this year.

“Building on the £1,200 package of support that was delivered to Scottish households last year, this is more evidence of the UK Government’s commitment to support the most vulnerable – low-income families, pensioners and those with disabilities – across Scotland and the whole United Kingdom.”

There are several benefits that could make you eligible for the £301 cost of living payment, including universal credit and tax credits.

Eligible people do not need to apply for payments, as they will be made automatically.

Those eligible for cost of living payments through tax credits, and no other means-tested benefits, will be paid by HMRC shortly after DWP payments are made.

Chancellor Jeremy Hunt added: “High inflation, exacerbated by Putin’s illegal war, is hurting economies across the world and making people poorer.

“These payments are the next part of the significant support we are providing through this challenging time, with millions of vulnerable households receiving £900 directly into their bank accounts this financial year alongside additional help for pensioners and those with disabilities.

“This latest payment will provide some temporary relief, but the best thing we can do to help families and businesses is to stick to the plan to halve inflation this year.”

Benefits will also rise in line with inflation from April, which will see a 10.1% increase for pensioners and those on the lowest incomes, while the National Living Wage will be increased to £10.42 an hour.